x
The house building sector of the construction trade is the first large group of workers
which has accepted a collective agreement under the terms of the national incomes policy.
This collective agreement covers just under 40,000 builders who belong to a SAK affiliated
union. The Construction Trade Union has similarly negotiated a collective agreement, also
based on the incomes policy, for the smaller group of asphalt workers.There was no collective agreement bargaining on behalf of any sector
on the 6th of December, as Finland was celebrating its Independence Day.
However, bargaining will continue over the coming week-end and during the early part of
next week, because the trade unions are obliged to inform the National Conciliator, on the
13th of December, as to whether or not they will participate in the centralised
incomes policy. The trade union leaders will then determine, on the 13th December,
as to whether or not participation in the centralised incomes policy agreement will be
sufficiently broad for it to be feasible for the parties to sign on the 15th
December as scheduled.
The Finnish Foodstuff Workers Union, as one of the SAK
affiliated unions, has already stated that it will not participate in the centralised
incomes policy, as, with a membership of 42,000, it already has agreements which will
remain valid until the end of February, 2003. The small Civil Aviation Union has also
stated that it will not take part in this centralised incomes policy.
Further agreements are expected to follow that which was
adopted by the construction sector. The service sector, with the exception of the
insurance industry workers, are expected to accept the terms of the incomes policy. The
situation is difficult for the municipal sector, as several unions representing various
academic professionals have stated that they are dissatisfied with the terms of the
centralised incomes policy.
Leena Seretin |
